# Thread: Polynomial Rings - Z5[X]/<p(x)>

1. ## Polynomial Rings - Z5[X]/<p(x)>

Compute the multiplicative inverse of $a(x) = \overline{x^2 + x + 1}$ in $\mathbb{Z}_5/$

where $p(x) = x^3 + x^2 + x + 1 = (x^2 + 1)(x +1)$.

2. ## Re: Polynomial Rings - Z5[X]/<p(x)>

Originally Posted by Bernhard
Compute the multiplicative inverse of $a(x) = \overline{x^2 + x + 1}$ in $\mathbb{Z}_5/$

where $p(x) = x^3 + x^2 + x + 1 = (x^2 + 1)(x +1)$.
Because $x^3+x^2+x+1=0$, we have $1=-x^3-x^2-x$. It is easy to see that $(-x)(x^2+x+1)=-x^3-x^2-x$, so $-x$ is the inverse.

However, it is not always so easy to solve for inverses by inspection. The surefire way to do this is to use linear algebra, as I will demonstrate.

You want $(a+bx+cx^2)(x^2+x+1)=1$ (we only go up to the second degree since $x^3=-x^2-x-1$)

Expanding the left hand side gives

$\bigg(ax^2+ax+a\bigg)+\bigg(bx^3+bx^2+bx\bigg)+ \bigg(cx^4+cx^3+cx^2\bigg)$

$=\bigg(a(x^3+x^2+x+1) - ax^3\bigg)$
$+\bigg(b(x^3+x^2+x+1)-b\bigg)$
$+ \bigg(cx(x^3+x^2+x+1)-cx\bigg)$

$=-ax^3-cx-b$

$=a(x^2+x+1)-cx-b$

$=ax^2+(a-c)x+(a-b)$

So we want to find $a,b,c\in \mathbb{Z}_5$ such that $ax^2+(a-c)x+(a-b)=1$. Although it is obvious what the solution is in this case, I'll write down the general way to do it:

With respect to the basis ${1,x,x^2}$, this is equivalent to solving the linear system

$\begin{bmatrix} 1&-1&0 \\ 1&0&-1 \\1&0&0 \end{bmatrix}\begin{bmatrix} a \\ b \\c \end{bmatrix}=\begin{bmatrix} 1 \\ 0 \\0 \end{bmatrix}$

Which has solutions $a=c=0;b=-1$. Hence the inverse is $ax^2+bx+c=-x$, which is the same answer as we got from inspection.

3. ## Re: Polynomial Rings - Z5[X]/<p(x)>

How do you guys post equations so neatly?
By copying and pasting the original post, this is what I get:

"Compute the multiplicative inverse of a(x) = \overline{x^2 + x + 1} in \mathbb{Z}_5/<p(x)>

where p(x) = x^3 + x^2 + x + 1 = (x^2 + 1)(x +1) . "

4. ## Re: Polynomial Rings - Z5[X]/<p(x)>

Hi HowDoIMath,

You need to use the Latex language for Maths expressions - see Latex Help and download the very helpful tutorials or help sheets.

Note that you need [TEX] and then the same with a / before the T around the math expressions to get Latex to work

Peter

5. ## Re: Polynomial Rings - Z5[X]/<p(x)>

Ok thanks
$a(x) = \overline{x^2 + x + 1}$